Pallet with draft-barrier



Feb. 17, 1959 Filed June 12, 1957 T. N. DE PEW ET AL 2,873,935

PALLET WITH DRAFT-BARRIER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS THoMAs N. DEPEW, WILLlAM H.$ARDO,JR. AND

PAUL H. KOENIG BY @ww MM ATTORNEY Feb. 17, 1959 T. N. D E PEW ET AL 2,873,935

PALLET WITH DRAFT-BARRIER Filed June 12, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

15/ FIGS k- FIG. 9

INVENTORS THOMAS N. DEPEw, WILLIAM H. SARDQJRAND PAUL H. Koems v By ATTORNEY United States Patent Washington, D- C corporation of the. District of Columbia H Application .lnne, 12, 1951, Serial No. 665,26$' a -Claims.f(Cl.248-120),

I This invention relates in general to industrial pallets and, more particularly, to pallets adapted to prevent flueaction, throughslongitudinal openings thereof during a .fire. T 1.

.Pallets currently in general industrial usage are constructed so as to provide upper and lowerdecks separated by spaced, parallel stringers which cooperate to define I openings between the stringers extending from end to end of v the pallets. These openings are designed to receive the forks of lift trucks for. pallet handling and'transportation. It hasbee'n discovered that when pallets, whether empty or loaded, are stored, as in warehouses or other storage areas, so that thefork-receiving.openings are in alignment, the same jointly form continuous passages which during fires act as lines and, hence, directthe flames therethrough with attendant increased velocity, rendering the conflagration the more uncontrollable and destructive. Various arrangements of pallet storage have: been attempted to counteract the incidence of this dangerous' flue action, but none have provedv wholly satisfactory. One method consists of developing partitioned compartments within a plant so that the dividing walls wouldserv'e as barriers to flames flowing through pallets within the compartment. However, .thisexpedient, be sides entailing "the expenditure of considerable sums for necessary'plant modification, additionally impedes expeditious handling of the pallets by forks as the maneuvering area is, perforce, restricted; Another plan-=involves-the storing of pallets in alternating relation so.-that.one tier of pallets would be disposed in axially normal. relationship to the adjacent tier, whereby the side stringers of pallets in the former tier would block the fork-receiving in the latter tier and thereby in- This plan has several major draw backs as it'requires either the prior withdrawal of'one' openings ofthe pallets hibit flame movement.

tierto allow a fork lift truck to handle pallets in the adjacent tier or-causes 'a wasteful usage of space by requiring suflicient room" for trucks to operate about adjoining stacks. Thus, the most economical 'rnean'sof storing pallets, whether or loaded" or empty, traditional, mutually aligned relatitinshipwhich, as stated above heretofore has created a hazard as the "openings are arranged to form a potential flame passage. j

Therefore,-it'is an object of the'presen't invention to provide industrial pallets equipped with means'for blocking the fork-receiving openings to prevent thedevelopment of flue-action therethrough in the event'of fire.

It is another object of the present invention toprovide a pallet having a'draft-bar'rier' disposediu each'of its forkreceiving openings, which barriers are adap'ted'for swing-' able 'movement'to allow full extension into the-related openings of thelift truck forks so that normalpallet handling will not be impeded."

It is a further. object of the present invention to provide draft-barriers for-ready disposition upon existing pallets of all types and designs,.without necessitating modification of the pallets for installation thereon of the barriers is in the 1 the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

2,873,935 Patented Feb. 17, 1959 nor entail the. exercise of skilled labor for such installations. i

It is another object of the present invention to. provide a pallet equipped with flue-action preventive means which will allow pallets to be arranged in customary axially, aligned relation for economical storage and facile handling by fork lift trucks; which means will effectively. prevent the passageof flames through the pallet fork-receiving openings and thereby reduce damage in the event ,offire; which pallets so provided may be produced economically and which are reliable in use. a l

These and other detailed objects are obtained by the structures illustrated in the accompanying drawings; (2

sheets) in which Figure l is a perspective view of an industrial pallet having mounted thereon draft barriers constructed in accordance with and. embodying the present invention. Figure 2 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a verticaltransverse section taken substan.-. tially along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing the fork of a fork lift truck in fully inserted position. i

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse sectiontaken along.

the line 4-4 of Figure 1. Figure 5 .is a vertical transverse section taken'along Figure 6 is a horizontal transverse section taken on the, line6-6of Figure 4. a p

Figure. 7 is a partial perspective view of a pallet having mounted thereon. another. form of draft-barrier constructed in,-.accordance with and embodyingthe present invention.

Figure8 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 7..

- the line,9 -9 of Figure 8.

- Figure ,10 is a partial perspective view of spinach. ing mounted thereona structed in accordance and embodying the present invention.

Figure 11 is a vertical transverse section taken onthe well-known design but is shown herein for purposes of illustration only as a non-reversible pallet, having spaced I apart, parallel, longitudinally extending outer stringers 1, 2 and a central stringer 3 with a plurality of the usual upper and lower deckboards 4, 5, respectively, presented transversely of the stringers and respectively engaged upon the upper and lower-edge surfacesthereof; therev being a relatively greater number of upper deckboards 4 in ac-,

cordance with the non-reversible nature of pallet P. Stringers 1, 2, 3 and deckboards4, Scooperate to define a pair of openings 6,7 throughpallet P, extending from end to end thereof, for receiving the forks 8, 9, respectively, of a conventional lift truck, as indicated-at B; it

being recognized that forks 8, 9 may enteropenings 6, 7,

through either end thereof.

Presented within each opening 6, 7 is a draft-barrier 10 having substantially the same dimensions as the cross section of the related opening for effectively blocking same for purposes presently appearing. Each barrier 10 is preferably constructed of fire-resistant canvas, but may be formed of anyother suitable flexible material capable further form of draft-barrier ,eon-

of withstanding the high temperatures encountered during fires; said barriers each being secured in their upper transverse portions upon the upper surface of one of the upper deckboards 4', as by tacks at 11, and depends downwardly through the spacing between said deckboard 4' and the adjacent deckboard 4. The lower end of each barrier 10 is free and terminates in alignment with the upper surface of lower deckboards 5. By its securement, each barrier 10 is swingable in opposite directions, as indicated by arrows in Figure 2, and through its inherent flexibility may be forced by forks 8 or 9, as the case may be, into flatwise abutment against the under surface of deckboard 4' (Figure 3) or the adjacent deckboard 4 (depending upon the direction of movement of the particular fork in its related opening), to allow full extension of forks 8, 9 within the associated openings 6, 7.

Although barriers 10 have been shown herein as extending downwardly between adjacent upper deckboards 4, it should be pointed out that the particular location of barriers 10 is not critical, since their primary purpose, namely, to obstruct the path through openings 6, 7, may be performed whether said barriers 10 are located at either end of pallet P or at some point therebetween. However, with barriers 10 disposed at some point between the pallet ends, such as shown in the drawings herein, the same will be more protected against accidental damage than when presented at the pallet ends.

Each barrier 10 is desirably formed of a double thick ness of material for receiving along its line of fold and at its lower end a relatively heavy, transversely extending member 12, such as a rod, bar, or the like, and for ready incorporation between the layers, upwardly of member 12 of a plurality of transversely spaced apart, stiffening or rigidifying agents 13 fabricated of plastic, wood, metal, or other rigid substances. It is to be noted that 'stiffeners 13 need not necessarily be formed of independent rigid members but may be integrally formed in barrier 10 by producing ribs from the material of construction. Member 12 and stiffeners 13 are encased within barrier 10, as by lines of stitching s, and are thus maintained against displacement. Base member 12 gravitationally biases barrier 10 into downwardly extending or closure position (Figure 2), while stiffeners l3 prevent undesired transverse folding or bending of barrier 10 so that the latter will swing only about its upper end portion; it being noted that the upper end of stiifeners 13 terminates spacedly beneath the plane of the lower surface of upper deckboards 4 to permit bending of barrier 10 in the region immediately above the upper ends thereof so that'barrier 10 may be forced against the undersurface of deckboard 4' to which it is secured (Figure 3) for clearance of its related opening.

From the foregoing it is apparent that when pallets P having barriers 10 mounted thereon are in stationery, stored condition, as in tiers, barriers 10 will, through gravity, be in depending, operative position and thus effectively close their associated openings against the passage of flames therethrough; and allowing adjacent tiers of pallets to be presented in axially aligned relationship without the danger of flue action being developed in the event of fire by the continuity of the openings. As stated above, barriers 10 do not prevent, or in any way impede, the normal insertion of forks into openings 6, 7 for the purpose of transporting pallet P as such barriers 10 are swung upwardly by the forks and out of their path of movement. As barriers 10 are swingable in either direction the forks may be inserted from either end of pallet P so that lift truck operators will proceed with pallets P in the same manner as heretofore with pallets unequipped with draft-barriers.

In Figure 7 another form of the present invention for incorporation upon pallet P is shown; said pallet P comprising stringers 1, 2', 3' and upper and lower deckboards 14, 15 forming fork receiving openings 6', 7', all of which are identical with the corresponding portions of pallet P hereinabove described. Presented within each opening 6', 7' and extending transversely thereacross is 'a draft-barrier 20 of flat plate construction, which is preferably fabricated of metal or other rigid material. Each barrier 20 is swingably suspended from a support member 21 which is disposed between adjacent deckboards 14, extending transversely across pallet P and having angle brackets 22 integrally formed at' each of its ends for securement upon the upper and outer side surfaces of outer stringers 1, 2, as'by screws, nails, or other fasteners.= Substantially centrally support member 21 is flattened, as at 23, for secu'rement'upon the"*upper surface of central stringer 3. Support member 21 may be de sirably formed of tubular stock for facile production of said member. However, it is obvious that the same could be formed of rodding, and the like, with the brackets being welded or otherwise fixed thereto, and further, said member could be easily of two-part construction so that individual support will be provided for each draft-barrier 20. It is to be particularly noted that the upper extreme surface portion of support member 21 does not project above the plane of the upper surface of upper deckboards 14 so that no untoward interference will be caused any loads moving across pallet P' or being disposed thereon.

Any suitable hinging means may be utilized for engaging draft-barrier 20 to support member 21, but for purposes of illustration only, there has been shown herein the utilization of a plurality of annuli or rings 24 of greater diameter than support member 2l'and extending freely through openings 25 formed in the upper portion of barrier 20. It is to be particularly noted that support member 21 on its under surface is spaced upwardly from the under surface of deckboards l4 and annuli 24 engage their related draft-barriers 20 at a point substantially co-planar with the under surface of deckboards 14 or slightly therebelow so as to permit full swinging movement of barrier 20 in either direction, with the upper limit of such swinging being terminated by flatwise abutment against the under surface of the adjacent deckboard 14.

Figure 10 discloses another form of draft-barrier incorporating the present invention for disposition upon a pallet B" having outer stringers 15, 2" and center stringer 3", upper deckboards 14' and lower deckboards 15' arranged to form fork receiving openings 6" and 7"; all of said elements being identical with the corresponding elements described hereinabove in conjunction with pallets P and P. Disposed within each opening 6", 7" is a draft-barrier 10', which is of identical construction as barrier 10 hereinabove set forth, comprising weighted member 12' and a plurality of stifleners 13'. Each barrier l0'is suspended from a support member 30 mounted on pallet P" between adjacent deckboards and extending transversely across said pallet P". Said support member 30 is'formed preferably of tubular stock of square cross section with its upper surface disposed either in alignment with the upper surface of deckboards 14' or slightly therebelow, and having formed at its ends angle brackets 31 for securement upon the upper and side surfaces of outer stringers 1", 2", and is centrally provided with a flattened portion 32 perforated to permit extension therethrough of fastener members such as screws, nails, and the like. The portions of support member 30 between stringers 1, 3' and 2', 3' are provided with an elongated slot-like opening on their under surfaces with the edges thereof adapted to bitingly engage draft-barrier 10' as upon crimping of support member 30. The upper edge portion of draft-barrier 10' received within support member 30 is folded back upon itself and stitched so as to provide an enlarged head, as at h, to prevent accidental disengagement of barrier 10' from support member 30. The under surface of support member 30 does not project below the under surface of upper deckboards 14' so as to allow full swinging movement, in either direction, of draft-barrier 10'. r

Although pallets P, P and P" have been shown herein as of the non-reversible type, that is, wherein only one deck is available for receiving a load, it is to be recognized that the present invention can be utilized with pallets of any other construction or design whether of the inset or flush-type stringers and whether there be only two stringers or more than three. With pallets of reversible character, that is, wherein both decks are available for load reception, draft-barriers of the present invention may be easily supported from both decks so that regardless of which attitude the pallet might be in, each opening will have a barrier forming a curtain thereacross.

The barriers of the present inventionare especially adapted for installation upon existing pallets, which installation would not require any modification of such pallets and could be easily effected by relatively unskilled labor.

It should be understood that changes, and modifications in the formation, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the pallet with draftbarrier may be made and substituted for these herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of our invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. A pallet comprising spaced apart stringers, upper and lower, spaced apart deckboards presented transversely of said stringers, said stringers and deckboards defining openings extending through the pallet from end to end thereof, a swingable closure member movably provided in each opening, the upper portion of said closure being disposed between adjacent upper deckboards, and means for supporting said closure member from its upper portion.

2. A pallet comprising spaced apart stringers, upper and lower deckboards presented transversely of said stringers, said stringers and deckboards defining openings extending through the pallet from end to end thereof, and a draft barrier being provided within each opening, said barrier extending transversely between adjacent stringers and vertically between the upper and lower deckboards, the upper transverse portion of said barrier being disposed between adjacent, upper deckboards, and means above said stringers for pivotally supporting said barrier in its upper transverse portion.

3. A pallet as described in claim 2 wherein the draftbarrier is of flexible material incorporating rigidifying elements.

4. A pallet comprising spaced apart, parallel stringers, spaced apart, upper and lower deckboards presented transversely of said stringers and secured thereto, said stringers and deckboards defining openings extending through the pallet from end to end thereof, and a draft-barrier provided in each opening and comprising a section of flexible material secured along one transverse edge flatwise upon the upper surface of an upper deckboard and depending downwardly between said deckboard and one adjacen thereto, said barrier extending "transversely between th' stringers constituting the sides of the related opening, saiea barrier having its lower transverse edge free and in can tact with the upper surface of the lower deckboards to thereby provide a closure to the related opening which is adapted for swingability about its upper engaged portion.

5. A pallet as described in claim 4 wherein the draftbarrier is weighted in its lower portion for biasing same into depending, closed relation to its associated opening.

6. A pallet as described in claim 5 wherein spaced apart, n'gidifying agents are provided in said draft-barrier for preventing folding or bending of the member during swinging thereof about its line of attachment.

7. A pallet comprising spaced apart, parallel stringers, spaced apart, upper and lower deckboards presented transversely of said stringers and secured thereto, said stringers and deckboards defining openings extending through the pallet from end to end thereof, a support member disposed transversely between adjacent, upper deckboards, and a draft-barrier swingably engaged on said support member in its upper transverse portion and extending downwardly therefrom between adjacent stringers for closure of the related opening.

8. A pallet comprising spaced apart, parallel stringers spaced apart, upper and lower deckboards presented transversely of said stringers and secured thereto, said stringers and deckboards defining openings extending through the pallet from end to end thereof, a support member disposed between adjacent upper deckboards and secured upon the upper edge surfaces of adjacent stringers, and a draft-barrier swingably engaged in its upper portion by said support member and extending transversely between adjacent stringers, said draft-barrier being free at its lower end and with such lower end being aligned with the upper end of the lower deckboards.

9. A pallet as described in claim 8 wherein the support member is a pivot rod, and the draft-barrier is a fiat, rigid plate, there being a plurality of transversely spaced annuli encircling said rod and engaging said plate in its upper portion.

10. A pallet as described in claim 8 wherein the support member is tubular stock having an opening in its downwardly presented surface, and the draft-barrier is a section of flexible material engaged in its upper edge portion within the opening of said support member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATEN'IS 155,667 Painter Oct. 6, 1874 2,497,737 Norrefeldt Feb. 14, 1950 2,651,486 Woodward Sept. 8, 1953 2,705,120 Owen Mar. 29, 1955 

